Rest In Peace Digger, 1992 - 2009

It has been a sad day around our house today. We woke up this morning to find that our family companion, Digger, had passed away during the night.
Digger was 17+ years old. We got him from the pound in October of 1993, right after we moved into our house. James, my youngest son, picked him out. Technically Digger was his dog, but in the end we were all Digger's Family.
He was a funny dog, a true mutt. He was solid black with a Chow body and tail and a Lab head. His front paws were turned in like a Bulldog, but we don't know if that was a trait, a birth defect, or the result of an accident.
When we first moved in, there was a four foot privacy fence along the breezeway to the garage. Digger's dog house was against that short fence and he would jump up on top like Snoopy and lay on his belly. From that position he could watch the street and bark at the mailman, the yard crews and pretty much anyone else that came by.
He loved to chase squirrels and bark at the landscape crews or anyone else who showed up in our neighborhood. In the early years, when our subdivision was building out, we had a lot of Possums that would run the length of the street on the top rail of the privacy fence. Digger loved to run up and down the fence barking and jumping at the Possums.
One day we were all sitting in the backyard. All of a sudden Digger ran to the far corner of the yard and started barking like crazy. We were all trying to figure out what he was barking at, when all of a sudden there was a snap and a cracking sound. We watched with amazement as a rotten tree, three or four houses down, suddenly fell over. Digger heard it breaking up before we actually saw anything.
Another time, he took off across the yard chasing a squirrel that ran for the far corner and jumped up on the fence. Digger jumped right behind him and got his right front paw stuck in the V-notch at the top of the fence board. He pulled the muscles in his paw. We had to keep him inside for a couple of weeks so he could rest and would not chase squirrels!
When James was learning to drive, he and I would take Digger with us on Saturday morning to ride around and practice driving. We would always go through McDonalds and get three sausage buiscuts. One for James, one for me, and one for Digger. Digger would hop down on the floorboard to eat his, then hop back up on the seat to see where we were going.
Digger had a girlfriend, Jasmine, a yellow Lab with a touch of Charpe on her head. When James would want to bathe them, he would let the tailgate of his truck down. Both dogs would hop up there, thinking they were going for a ride. James would shut the tailgate, climb in the back and give them a bath. After they had dried, he would take them for a ride around the block as a reward.
As he got older, Digger's fur turned silver in some places and brown in others. We always said he was rusting in his old age. He developed a really bad ear infection in his left ear. The doc had to knock him out and lance his ear to drain out all of the infection. After that, his left ear would never stand up again. So along with his other personality traits, he always looked at you with one ear up and one ear down.
As Digger got worse and worse this summer, we started keeping him inside. We set up a pin with some rugs and a dog pillow, and he would lay there most of the time. Eventually he would get up, but he was moving slower and slower each time. We had our Vet check him out about a week ago. He assured us that Digger was not in pain. Much as it would have hurt us , we would have put him down if he was suffering.
Cindy's Dad, Gene, loved that old dog. He used to sit out in the backyard for hours with that old dog. Now that Digger has gone, I reckon that if there is a back porch or a patio in Heaven, then Digger's out there with Gene. And Jasmine, Bailey, Goober, Sandy, and Reville. And any other mutt that's wandering around up there.
Rest in Peace old man, you have earned it many time over.
Happy New Year everyone! While you are saluting your friends and good fortune, raise your glasses to Digger, the best dog a family could ever have.
Dave

Fixing up the "Fixer Upper"

Merry Christmas!

It's officially after midnight, and so it is Christmas Day. I'm still awake, watching "Deadliest Catch" marathon on the Discovery Channel and updating the story map. I made some pretty big decisions about the time line today, as you can see on the timeline for part 2 of the Saga. Two big wars involving Star Traders and DragonHawks and an opportunity for the Star Traders to embrace their heritage as Star Folk.
Lots to write about now, but I will talk about that in the future. Be sure to come back from time to time and see where the stories go!
But time to hit the rack. (That's Navy lingo for go to bed. We call our bunks "racks" cause they are like a rack of shelves where you store your sailors for a few hours before you get them out and play with them some more.
If you are up reading this, better go to bed or Santa Clause won't come to see you!

Mele Kamikimaka!

Dave

It's turning into quite the little fixer-up-er!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Well the DragonHawk Saga is really turning into quite the little fixer-up-er! You know that term is normally used to describe a house or a car that you buy and find out there are a number of things that need to be fixed, repaired, remodeled or just ripped out and thrown away. Well, that's what happening to my stories.
The orginal goal was to reduce the size of Tycho Station, the second story in the DragonHawk Saga to something less than 800, hopefully 700 pages. Most of what I have removed has gone into the outline for the Dragon Hunters, (the first story). Other parts have gone into The Lioness and The Royal Pride. The last two are parallel story ideas that involve other main characters in the main storyline. I've made quite a bit of progress in that endeavour and have identified a lot of weak areas that I need to reinforce.
To help you keep track, I have attached a map of sorts. Tycho Station is shaded green to show that the story is complete, although I am editing it. Dragon Summer and Gateway Station are shown in blue. Both of those stories are fairly complete, although there are major changes that need to be made to both of them. The stories shown in gray have bits and pieces in them, mostly cut from Tycho Station, but also Dragon Summer and Gateway Station. All of the stories in purple have not been started, other than some notes or part of an outline about the idea.
Part 1 and Part 2 of the Saga go end to end, but would not fit on the slide, so I showed them separately. And the Part Title are correct. It will take five stories for the Great Dragon to return and three for him to do whatever he's going to do to the Star Traders. As I intimated earlier, the bottom line of four strories are what I call "parallel stories" involving major characters in the Saga. They may or may not get written, but their storylines are great places to work out details to explain how things happened.
All of these stories only cover 100 years of the 20,000 years of Star Trader/Star Folk history that I have in my reference material. Guess I better win the lottery so I can have time to write all this!
In the meantime, I will just keep chugging along.
Again, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Dave

UFO's in the skies over Norway?

Did you see the story in the news about the strange lights over Norway on Wednesday night? By this evening the Russian Navy admitted that the lights were from a Bulava missile that malfunctioned after being launched from one of their missile subs, the Dmitry Donskoy.
(See the accompanying photos from the web).

I'm not convinced myself. It looks an awful lot like the spiral search pattern of a Tycho Mark Seven Trans-System recon probe. Star Traders like to sit out at the edge of star system near the Transition Point and launch one or more of these probes in to scope out the situation. It could be that the probe detected the submarine missile launch and corkscrewed in for a closer look.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't been working on the books lately. Kind of got into a bit of a funk over the mess that I have made of Tycho Station and decided to take a breather. I've been doing some behind the scenes work here and there, making notes in my "Star Trader Development Manual". Its a document that I created to keep track of the story outlines, chapter descriptions and notes on all of the changes that I have made. I also write up all of the ideas I get and any background information that occurs to me.

As always thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed my take on the news tonight! Talk to you again soon!

Dave

Taking It Easy Tonight

Last time we visited I talked about breaking up Tycho Station into something smaller, then use the cut parts to create The Dragon Hunters. I can report that activity is going along okay, but not as fast as I would like. But with a new job and Thanksgiving approaching, I am finding it more difficult to find quality writing time.

Tonight I am working on the Development Manual and the Reference Manual. I thought that since I am reworking stories, I should review the Development Manual, which is where I write down all my ideas about the stories and develop background on characters, and make sure I have the latest ideas to work with.

I have also been going through the Reference Manual consolidating some of the entries. Seems that in my zeal to write, I have a lot of notes and information either out of place or duplicated.

My assistants, by the way. Are taking the night off. I have included a picture so you can see what they are up to.

Actually not a bad idea. I might join them myself after the football game.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Dave

Breaking up is hard to do...

I made be giving away my age by borrowing a phrase from a Neil Sedaka song. Nevertheless it describes what I am trying to do. Break parts of Tycho Station off and put them in a new story, The Dragon Hunters. The primary goal being to reduce the size of Tycho Station.
There is a lot background in Tycho Station that describes how the various characters and forces came to be, enough to spread the action between two stories. Its good practice. The original Gateway Station (about fifteen seasons after the end of Tycho Station) is three stories: Dragon Summer, Gaanard Station and Gateway Station. Those stories run parallel to Heritage, the story of the Horath War. Lots to write about...
I want to apologize for not posting sooner. I started a new job this week and have been pretty busy and kinda in a bad mood in the evening. Partially because of other factors, but mostly because I was not sure what I wanted to do with my stories. Now that I have made my decision, hopefully I can move steadily forward.
Part of my mood was the discovery that I made last weekend that the company I was discussing publishing with is under indictment in a couple of states for fraud against authors. According to what I learned, they take your story, have someone "more talented" than you and rewrite it. Then market it. I won't name the company because I don't want to get involved in any potential legal drama. So we will just add the information to the database in the Sollar Star and move on to the next planet...
With this post tonight you will see a picture of Baby Girl. She likes to sleep on the desk while I work. It's very relaxing to reach over and absently scratch her while I contemplate the Star Trader Galaxy.
I'd like to hear from you, so leave some comments!
Thanks!

Just Who Are The Star Traders?

There are five major Star Trader Families and one major group of Independents.
The Blom and Tolen Families are primarily located on the Gaanard Trade Station, where they operate the Star Trader's premier spaceyard and space port.
The Sundai Star Traders are based out of the Sundai System. The Sundai are the Trade's agricultural and biotech experts, operating out of their Trade Station and facilities on neighboring planets.
The Muroc Star Traders are the financial and business arm of the Star Traders. From their Trade Station in the Muroc System, they provide the financial and business services the other Families need for their major projects.
The Reska Star Traders are the munitions and armaments specialists of the Trade. Their weapons are highly sought out by both Traders and NonTraders alike. Coupled with their ruthlessness and willingness to sell to any race able to pay their high prices, the Reska are considered one of the most dangerous of the Star Trader Families.
The Tycho Star Traders are the largest group of Independents in the Star Trader Galaxy. While they operate a magnificent Trade Station in the Tycho System, near the Sundais, these Independent Star Traders are scattered all across the Star Trader Galaxy. The Tycho Trade Station is the home of the legendary Hawkkur Legion, whose roots go back to the early days of the Star Folk, the ancestors of the Star Traders.
Want to know more? Leave me a comment or a question and I will respond!
Thanks,

Dave

Meanwhile, back at the Trade Station...

Hi everyone!
Cindy and I made it home last night, tired but happy after covering over 1500 miles sightseeing in Arkansas. While most of the leaves had already turned brown or had been blown off at the higher altitudes, the valleys and the lower elevations still had a lot of color.
Meanwhile, back at the Trade Station...
Trade Stations are massive space stations and the homes of the major Star Trader Families and Groups. Gaanard is the largest Trade Station and is the primary home of the Tolen and Blom Star Trader Families. It is also the home of the Star Trader Council of Elders and home to the Trade Senate. The Blom and Tolen families operate two huge spaceyards out of Gaanard, where most of the Trade's starships are built. But as Gaanard is the home of the Star Trader's government and considered neutral ground, all of the major Star Trader Families and Groups have offices and facilities there. In Tycho Station, there are five major Trade Stations; Gaanard, Tycho, Epin-12, Sundai and Muroc.

On the way home...

Last night on the road. Our little jaunt through Arkansas to see the foliage, drive some coll mountain roads and eating some good food. Its been a nice relaxing week, perfect weather for driving with the top down. Nothing like climbing a steep hill in 3rd gear with the overdrive off easing through a couple of switchbacks listening to the GT's 4.6 liter growling through the dual exhausts!
Last night we stayed at the Mather Lodge at Petit Jean State Park. It is Arkansas' first state park and sits on top of Mount Petit Jean, about 1700 feet above sea level. The park was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conseration Corps as our country was in the grips of the Great Depression, as were many of our wonderful state and national parks. The room was rather spartan (but they had wifi!) and the bed pretty hard. But there was a roaring fire in a big stone fireplace in the main room and the view was great!
Wednesday we took a train ride from Van Burean AR to Windslow AR and back. Very relaxing ride in 1920's passenger cars just to look at the scenery on the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad. The cars had been refurbished but the hand worked African Mahogony was all original hand worked detail. Very nice! After the train ride we drov to nearby Fort Chaffee where the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his firsr Army haircut has beeb oened as a museum. As luck would have it, the volunteer guide just happened to bebthe photographer who took the famous picture of the haircut. He was very friendly and told us a great story about the event. Did you know that they brought him in at ten pm at night? To minimize the fuss. They have mananged to save the barracks where Elvis trianed and plan to restore it and expand their museum. Fort Chaffee was also the site of a German POW camp during WWII and was used for Vietnameese refugees from the end of the Vietnam War and Cuban refugees from the Marial boat lift during the Clinton administration. We also drove thru Mena AR. You should google these things if you don't know what I'm talking about. Especially Mena. (CIA, Iran Contra, guns for drugs...)
So. back to the grind next week, time to get back to work on my stories.  I have one marketing company reading Tycho Station right now, I should hear something from them next week. But they do marketing, not  publsihing, so I have to figure that out as well. I'd like to find an agent and a real publisher as opposed to the self publishing option. The scenario may be something like "We want to promote your book in our markets, but you have to get it published, e.g. you should self publish so we can do this right now...  I just don't know how it will all play out. And I still have to find a job to pay for all this. Now, if someone would just offer me a big advance...
Next week I want to share some of my DragonHawk Saga, some background and what is going on in the Star Trader Universe. I'l be anxious to read your comments.

Cheers!

Dave

On Vacation!

Our first attempt at a vacation was scrapped when I had to go to Canada. Our second attempt was scrapped because of the project I was wrking on. Well, guess what? Not only am I not working on a project... I'm not even working! What the heck, lets go on vacation!

We drove from Houston to Texarkana, AR today. Nice weather with the top down on the mustang cruising up Highway 59. We ate a late lunch inJefferson Texas at The Hamburer Store. Good burgers and about $7000 worth of one dollar bills plastering the walls. The bills have been signed and decorated by the doners. Not sure what the Treasury Department would think, but pretty interesting to look at.

We only have about two and a half hours worth of driving tomorrow, so we will probably drive twice that much sight seeing. I'll post some photos if we take any good ones.

Cheers!

Tycho Station: Next Step Forward...

Saturday I received an e-mail from a book marketing company that wants to read Tycho Station. I thought about it off and on yesterday while we were attending the Wings over Houston airshow. (Blue Angels Rule!). This morning, after making some planned edits, I decided that I would go ahead and send the story to them. According to the e-mail, they should get back to me in about a week.
Cindy and I are going on a road trip next week. Just up into Arkansas to look at the fall foliage in the Ouachita National Forest. I haven't been in that part of Arkansas in a long time. I mean a really long time ago. (Don't worry Dave, I keep telling myself. You are not going anywhere near any of your relatives...)
Meanwhile, I have shifted my attention to The Dragon Hunters. I decided that there was too much background being explained in Tycho Station, so I am trying to write some of that as a separate story. But if this company likes Tycho Station, then I will have to work with them on any editing and start writing on the sequel. I guess it depends on what they have to say about the overall concept.
I guess I am being a bit cynical about the whole thing. I am not sure what this company will think of my writing abilities or my story telling abilities. Or if they think the whole thing is a waste of time. I guess I won't mind so much if they reject it. I just don't want the whole deal to turn out to be some sort of subsidy publishing gimmick.
In the meantime, got to get moving on a real website...
If you happen to read this blog, leave me some comments. I'd like to hear what you think!
Thanks,

Dave

Big Boy and Baby Girl

After writing the first post, I decided to post a picture of the cats. Big Boy is the big gray and black tiger tabby on the right. Baby Girl is the pretty brown and gray tiger tabby on the left.
Enjoy!

Cats & Dragons

Welcome to Cats & Dragons.
Maybe you are wondering about the name. Well I was sitting here at the desk, thinking about Dragons and DragonHawks, some of the more important characters in my sci fi series called the DragonHawk Saga when my two assistants jumped up onto the desk.
That would be our two cats, Big Boy and Baby Girl. They are what we refer to as our "Hurricane Grade" cats.
In 2008, in the summer leading up to Hurricane Ike, we were having a mouse problem in our neighborhood. Part of the problem was due to a hail storm on Mother's Day that damaged a bunch of roofs. So several of us were having our roofs repaired. And in our case, the siding as well. Mice and or rats got under the hood of my wife's car and chewed up some wires and made a big mess.
Well. we finished our repairs about 24 hours before Ike knocked down the fences, broke some tree limbs and plastered a bunch of leaves all over our new paint job.
In the wake of Ike, Cindy and I were visiting one of the pet stores and we stopped to talk to the pet rescue people. We were looking for a big, mean onery tom cat to take care of our rodent problem.
"Oh, you need to talk to Chris!" they pet rescue people told us. It turns out that Chris took care of abandoned animals on Galveston Island. She had these two cats, Big Boy and Baby Girl, that had survived the hurricane underneath a collasped shed. These two cats were pretty ferel, so it took a week for Chris to catch them for us.
When we brought them home, we had this little pen set up in the back yard. We were going to keep them penned up for a while so they could adapt to our neighborhood.
Baby Girl had a different idea. She escaped and disappeared that night.
Big Boy was a little less enthusiastic. He had an abscess on his head and was still under the influence of the pain killer. So he stuck around for a few more days. Then he took off.
We did not see "hide nor hair" of either cat for about two weeks. Then one day, Cindy saw Baby Girl walk by in the flower bed outside our study window. We quickly opened up a can of cat food and set it out on the porch. After a while, Baby Girl snuck out of the flower beds and ate the food. Then she sat on the porch and cleaned herself.
This went on for about a week and then Big Boy showed up. We kept feeding them outside, but could not coax them to come inside. Not yet.
But eventually, on their own schedules (They are cats, after all), they came in and we gradually got closer and closer.
Now the cats spend as much time inside as they do out. We haven't seen any mice for some times and the squirrels have stopped digging up the bulbs in the flowerbeds. We have become very attached to the cats and they have gotten use to being around us. Baby Girl is still pretty skiddish. We think she was abused in the past. She had an abscess in her mouth and when we took her to the vet, he discovered that she had six broken lower teeth, three on each side.
Looks to me like someone kicked her in the lower jaw. So, she has her reasons to be skiddish and nervous.
She and her brother (lover? we will never know) have become very familiar with us. Especially me, it seems. As soon as I sit down to write, both cats will jump up on the desk if they are in the house. Big Boy will rub his head against your and wanting you to rub his head. Baby Girl will walk up and down on the desk and sometimes let you rub her back. Sometimes she will lay down on the desk and if I place my hand on her back, she will roll over and let me rub her belly.
Big Boy is vocal and will meow really loud. We have never heard Baby Girl make any sound other than purring. I think her voice box was damaged by whoever kicked her lower jaw. It just makes you love her that much more.
They are tough cats, but loving cats. You can rub Big Boy's back and feel the fight scars through his short hair. You see how much the two of them care for each other, especially Big Boy for Baby Girl and you wonder what all they have been through. Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island and whatever happened before then.
So that's why I called this blog Cats & Dragons. Whenever I am working on the latest adventures of my Dragons and DragonHawks, my cats are usually near by.